Journal article
Regionalism and the Limits of Yugoslav Democracy
Sociologija, Vol.30(4), pp.585-597
01 Dec 1988
Abstract
The inefficiencies of the Yugoslav system of locally managed democracy are criticized, with focus on the specific constitutional position & corresponding political practice of the eight federal units of the country. The principle of unanimity in decision making results in practice in a false image of the unity of republics & provinces, due to the control of the League of Communists (the Communist Party) & regional leaders over the outcomes of the decision-making process. Citizen participation is institutionalized through a pyramid-like system of delegations, where the workers & citizens can make decisions within their production units & communities only, with the two councils of the Federal Assembly consisting of the "top" delegations elected on a territorial basis. However, there is no parliamentary body representative of the direct interests of workers & citizens as a whole, & the voting process outside the workplace is indirect & controlled from above, allowing workers & citizens little influence on the selection of regional delegates. Consequently, leaders, economic advisers, delegates, & political activists do not have to answer for their decisions, although there are some vehicles for the expression of grievances & criticism. It is concluded that two elements are essential for the success of the democratization process: (1) guaranteed political liberties; & (2) making political activists & Party members responsible for their regional & federal decision making. If the democratization process proceeds well in the republics, or provinces, it may stimulate a progressive change on the federal level. 47 References. A. Devic
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Details
- Title
- Regionalism and the Limits of Yugoslav Democracy
- Creators
- Julie Mostov - Drexel University, Global Studies and Modern Languages
- Publication Details
- Sociologija, Vol.30(4), pp.585-597
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- Croatian; English
- Academic Unit
- Politics; Global Studies and Modern Languages
- Identifiers
- 991021876350304721